Should the applicant provide the details of the person about whom information is sought?

16 May, 2013

Background

The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Delhi Police seeking the documents submitted by a particular officer, posted in Special Cell based on which he was appointed in Delhi Police. He also wanted the documents signed by the said officer from the date of employment in Delhi Police till the current date. The Deputy Secretary, Govt. of NCT of Delhi transferred the RTI application to Police Headquarter (PHQ). The Public Information Officer (PIO) requested the appellant to provide the PIS No., Belt No. and present place of posting of the said officer so that he may provide a proper reply.

Proceedings

During the hearing the before Central Information Commission (CIC), the appellant was not present to present his case. The PIO stated that no such officer as submitted by the appellant has been posted since November 2011 nor is presently working in Special Cell and for this reason the appellant was requested to give particulars of that officer in order to locate the person.

View of CIC

The Commission observed that appellant’s RTI application has been properly handled by the respondent and if the appellant desired for the information he ought to have provided some particulars to the PIO. The Commission rejected the appeal.